Winch

The surname Winch is of English origin, deriving from the medieval given name "Wynca", a diminutive form of the Old English personal name "Wine", meaning "friend" or "beloved". The surname Winch is classified as a metonymic name, indicating a person who worked with or operated a winch, a mechanical device used to lift or pull heavy objects.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Winch dates back to the 13th century in the county of Essex, England. Over the centuries, the name has spread across various regions of the United Kingdom and has given rise to numerous notable individuals bearing the name Winch.

One notable figure with the surname Winch is the English colonial administrator Sir Humphrey Winch. He was a prominent legal scholar and judge who served as a member of the Council of State during the Interregnum period in English history.

The surname Winch continues to be found in contemporary Britain, with its bearers involved in diverse occupations and residing in various parts of the country. The name Winch reflects the rich tapestry of British surnames and the historical occupations and personal identities associated with them.

There are approximately 2,077 people named Winch in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,080th most common surname in Britain. Around 32 in a million people in Britain are named Winch.

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Andrew
  • Brian
  • Christopher
  • Daniel
  • David
  • John
  • Mark
  • Matthew
  • Michael
  • Robert
  • Stephen

Female

  • Christine
  • Claire
  • Emma
  • Jacqueline
  • Janet
  • Jeanette
  • Joan
  • Julie
  • Louise
  • Margaret
  • Nicola
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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